Have you ever noticed the similarities between Solo Leveling and One Punch Man? One aspect that captivates audiences is the feeling that One Punch Man makes an appearance in Solo Leveling.
So, what common points do these two works share that evoke such feelings in viewers?
Focus on Intense Training
Let’s start with the obvious: intense training. In One Punch Man, we have Saitama who follows a rigorous daily routine consisting of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and a 10 km run every day. Similarly, in Solo Leveling, Sung Jinwoo appears with habits akin to training to complete his daily quests.
This similarity is not merely coincidental. Jinwoo develops his strength in a gaming context, earning rewards for completing his quests, but he also faces risks if he fails.
As the central character of Solo Leveling, he is on a quest to achieve a level of strength comparable to that of Saitama. However, while Saitama has reached a point of “invincibility” after his training, Jinwoo is still striving to “level up.”
Classification System
In many role-playing games, the ranking system is essential—S ranks are superior to A ranks. Solo Leveling adopts this concept and implements it effectively. However, the unique element here is that Solo Leveling features a Hunter Association quite similar to the Hero Association in One Punch Man. Heroes/Hunters are classified from E to S. S ranks are the strongest, possessing significant skills and abilities. There are also E ranks, which represent the average individuals.
For instance, consider Saitama: he might not excel in written tests but is powerful enough to defeat any enemy with just one punch. On the other hand, Jinwoo starts off as an E rank but soon demonstrates his potential when he completes a mission with an S rank team on Jeju Island, eventually rising to an S rank himself. The distinct difference lies in the limits placed on characters in One Punch Man, whereas Jinwoo’s potential is virtually limitless within the game world.
Main Characters with Incredible Strength
When discussing the main characters of Solo Leveling and One Punch Man, the contrast in their strength is clear. For example, Saitama, true to his name, can defeat anyone with just one punch.
Sung Jinwoo, on the other hand, starts weaker but gradually becomes extraordinarily powerful over time. His growth knows no bounds; he is akin to a cheat code in the anime world. The main characters in both narratives serve as prime examples of superhuman abilities typical in shōnen genres.
While Solo Leveling and One Punch Man may seem different at first glance, they share many more commonalities than one might initially think.
